Several questions from a new member

[Jan]

Hello to everybody on the forum!
As you can see I'm quite new here on the site.
I have a few questions for you:
-Reading through the postings I'm wondering if you're all just playing classic piano works. Me for eexample I'm playing the classical stuff mainly in my lessons and for myself pieces from George Winston, Yann Tiersen, Ludovico Einaudi....yes. And sometimes Philip Glass. I haven't got anything against classic composers (Satie is just great!) but I prefer the new stuff. And you?
-How far do you go in practiceing a piece? When do you decide, it's okay, I can stop practiceing and start playing it?
And finally something about me (though you might not want to know):
18 years of age,
living near Hannover, Germany,
after 5 years of keyboard lessons finally playing the real piano (for half a year now)
now playing: some Allegros by Bach (in my lessons, for "gaining advanced finger control") and Thanksgiving by Winston (private)

by

says Jan

[donjuan]

Hi Jan, welcome to the forum family!

Yeah, most of us here are into classical music, but you will find others like you who also like modern stuff.  But when you get right down to it, it's all the same no matter how long ago the music was written.  Eventually you only have two categories- good music and bad music.  I prefer stuff from the Romantic period, but the things I like most about this time period, I can also find in pop, jazz, and big band music.  Dont be afraid to explore your interests.  Perhaps this music you learn for yourself -stuff from George Winston, Yann Tiersen, etc. you like for a certain reason, whether it be for the melodies, rhythm, or motifs... whatever it is, I am sure you can find the origins of the fascination in some form of classical music.

I was really interested in how you seem to separate "practicing" a piece from "playing" it.  I dont know, ...I tend to practice playing the piece!   Usually my ear can tell me when something sounds bad or if I am not steady in a certain passage, and from there, usually I can will myself to slow down and make sure each note is heard, playing hands separately, voices separately, etc..  If I dont catch my own mistakes, I am confident my teacher will and can set me on the right path. 
But dont sit down on the piano bench and refuse to put a piece of music together because you are "practicing" it and are afraid to mess it up.  The first time you open up the sheetmusic, do not be afraid to attempt playing it as if you were performing it.  If you didnt, piano and music altogether would be so boring you would not want to play any more than others would want to hear you.

now playing: some Allegros by Bach (in my lessons, for "gaining advanced finger control") and Thanksgiving by Winston (private)

haha no need to be so "private" with your interests!  What, are you afraid your piano teacher will beat you if they found out what you have been up to? 

Smile,
donjuan

[Bob]

Welcome to pf!

I've always tried to play a variety of composers.  Always something to learn from different composers.  I've tried though -- I have played more pieces by some composers.  Even if I don't really enjoy the piece, I still know more about that style, that composer, etc.  It's just one philosophy though I know.  Playing many different styles prevents you from sinking in deeper into one style.

[doug]

spam

[Jan]

Oh, I love Radiohead and I'm right now checking his site.
Sounds just great! Especially "The Pyramid Song", of course.
And I think it's playable for me (let's hope for the best)
Thank you very much for the tip, Doug!

Anyone araound who knows Bernard Weinstock? The "Evening" album's really wonderful (best is "Autumn Song", I think). If you simply search with Google you'll find his label's page, where you can freely download the entire album.
Does anyone know if there are any sheets avaiable?

Greetings!

Jan

[Jan]

Sorry, I confused the "Pyramid Song" with "Everything in...".
But then why didn't O'Riley arrange the pyramid? Because it IS already a piano solo (or near to)?

Jan

[mound]

I'm a big Radiohead fan as well!


welcome!
-Paul

[doug]

Sorry, I confused the "Pyramid Song" with "Everything in...".
But then why didn't O'Riley arrange the pyramid? Because it IS already a piano solo (or near to)?

Jan

I think I  read on one of O'riley's posts that he couldn't put alot of things in the book, such as Pyramid Song, because Radiohead was planning on doing something similar eventually.

-Doug